Fuse switch



Jan. 9, 1940. o c. CLOUGH 2,186,165

FUSE SWITCH Filed July 8, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l 0. d. CLOUGH Jan. 9, 1940.

FUSE SWITCH Filed July 8, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 C. CLOUGH Jan. 9, 1940.

FUSE SWITCH Filed July 8, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q, wuvwbo r 01m C [7019 Patented Jan. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES FUSE SWITCH Oren C. Clough,

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Application July 8, 1938, Serial No. 218,213

8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electric fuse switches.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a device which is especially well adapted for 6 use in motor vehicles and boats, aircraft, and the like, to maintain a plurality of separate electric circuits in operative condition insofar as their overload protection fuses are concerned.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a device which will function, as a result of a simple manipulation of a conveniently located and sightly control knob, to place a new fuse in each one of the several circuits and thus be certain to re-establish the interrupted circuit or circuits.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fuse switch which is particularly adapted for use in connection with motor vehicles having an instrument panel located in front of the dashboard which separates the engine and passenger compartments.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be. apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view illustrating the manner in which the fuse switch embodying this invention is associated with the instrument panel and dash-board of a modern motor vehicle,

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the front of the switch device embodying this invention,

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the switch device shown in Fig. 2, I

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line ll of Fig. 2,

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, v

Figure 6 is a detail elevational view taken on line 66 of Fig. 4,

Figure 7 is an elevational view of the fuse panel of a modified form of fuse switch embodying this invention and illustrating in dotted lines the various elements mounted on or associated with the rear face of this panel,

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the movable switch body or rotor which carries the circuit closing blades or clips, and

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of the elements shown in Figures 7 and 8 when they are properly associated with each other.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of this invention, and particularly referring to Fig. 1, there is partially illustrated the engine compartment and the passenger space of a vehicle which is provided with a dash-board 1 arranged to separate the same. An instrument board panel 8 is arranged in advance of and in parallelism with the said dash-board. This illustration is made solely for the purpose of explaining a desirable manner in which the fuse switch of this invention may be associated with standard vehicle parts of this character. The disclosure is not to be considered as limiting the invention to any particular kind or type of dashboard or instrument panel, to any particular angular relationship which may exist between these elements, or, in fact, to the mounting of the fuse switch on to elements of this particular character.

Referring first to Fig. 4, there is disclosed a 30 fuse panel 9 which is formed of suitable insulating material and takes the general form of a disc with diametrically arranged, radially projecting ears Hi apertured at H to receive the fastening devices l2 by means of which the panel is secured to the dash-board 1. This dash-board is provided with an opening [3 which is covered or closed by the panel 9.

Figs. 3 and 4 disclose the rear face of the fuse panel 9 as having mounted thereon the radially arranged pairs of fuse clips, or other fuse supporting elements. As an aid to a clear description of these fuse mounts, all of the inner clips will be designated by the reference character I, while the outer clips will be designated by the 86 reference character IS. A fusible element; which in this particular illustration consists of a fuse cartridge, I6 is removably positioned in each radial pair of fuse mounts; i. e., with one end held by one of the inner clips i4 and the other 46 and held by the radially aligned outer clip l5. Fig. 4 discloses the securing of each one of the inner clips or mounts M to the rear face of the .panel 9 by means of a rivet l1. These rivets I! perform no additional function. Th outer clips 15 are secured to the fuse panel 9 ly means of rivets l8. Each one of these rivets It is provided with a head 49 exposed to the front of the fuse panel 9 and function as a circular series of fixed contact elements. Part of these contact ele- 50 ments formed by the rivet heads l9 are exposed to view in Fig. 2. It will be noted that each one of these rivet heads is provided with a depression 20 which functions in a manner to be described at a later point.

Fig. 8 discloses a contact wire 2| for each two pairs of fuse mounts or clips. In other words, Fig. 3 discloses eight pairs of fuse mounts and four circuit wires 2|. Each one of these circuit wires is electrically connected to two adjacent inside clips or mounts I by means of a block of solder, or the like, 22. It will be seen, therefore, that the several pairs of radially aligned fuse clips or mounts are connected in parallel to the circuit wires 2| with two pairs of fuse clips or mounts provided in each of these groups.

Figs. 2, 4 and 5 disclose an additional circular series of rivets 23 which are provided with beads 24 exposed to the front face of the fuse panel 9, as shown in Fig. 2, to form a series of stationary contacts. The rivet heads l9 and 24 are arranged in radially aligned pairs. Figs. 3 and 5 disclose connecting straps 25 which connect electrically the rivets 23 into groups with two rivets to a group. A second circuit wire 26 is connected to each one of the straps 25.

It will be apppreciated, therefore, that there are provided four groups of fuse elements IS with two elements to each group, with the inner clips or fuse mounts I4 of each group connected in parallel to a circuit wire 2|, with the outer clips or fuse mounts I5 of each group connected to two stationary contacts l9, and with a pair of additional stationary contacts 24 interconnected and attached to a second circuit wire 26. We, therefore, have four independent circuits with two fuse elements available for use in each circuit.

Journaled for rotation in the center of the fuse panel 9 is a stub shaft 21. This shaft is threaded and has mounted thereon the lock nuts 28 which clamp to the stub shaft 21 a multiple armed body or switch device 29 which is formed of insulating material. The four arms of this body 29 are specifically designated by means of the reference character 30. Fig. 2 discloses the fact that there are four arms 30 provided on this body 29, or one arm for each group of fuse elements. Each arm of this body 29 is provided with two radially aligned brush holders 3|. Fig. 4 discloses that each one of these holders is of tubular formation and is provided with a brush which projects inwardly toward the adjacent face of the fuse panel 9 and is maintained in contact with the surface of this panel by means of a spring 33. Fig. 4 discloses the fact that these brush holders 3| are arranged so as to coincide with the circles formed by the two circular series of stationary contacts l9 and 24. Figs. 2 and 4 disclose the metal brush holders 3| as being bridged or electrically connected by the straps 34. By rotating the body 29, the four pairs of electrically connected brushes 32 will be placed in contact with one pair of stationary contacts l9 and 24 for each group of fuse elements. Further movement of the body 29 will place the brushes 32 in engagement with the remaining pair of stationary contacts l9 and 24 for each group of fuses. Such adjustments of the body 29, therefore, may be employed for connecting successively the two fuse elements of each group with the two circuit wires 2| and 26 for the said groups. With one fuse of each group connected to their respective circuit wires, the various circuits will be in operative condition. Should one of the fuses burn out, it is not necessary for the operator to ascertain just which fuse has failed. By rotating the body 29 through an angle of approximately 45, the remaining fuse of each group will be placed in contact with the various circuit wires 2| and 26.

For the purpose of permitting the body 29 to be rotated by an operator sitting in front of the instrument panel 8, a shaft 35 is journaled in a bearing 36 positioned within a hole formed in the instrument panel 8 and has rigidly connected to its outer end a control knob 31. The inner end of this shaft 35 is connected to a transversely extending strap 38. The outer lock nut 28 of the stub shaft 21 also has a transverse strap 39 connected thereto. A flexible disc, or the like, 40 is joined to these straps 39 and 39 with said straps arranged at right angles to each other. Figs. 2, 4 and 6 clearly disclose this arrangement. The .flexible disc 40 cooperates with the straps 38 and 39 to provide a universal joint between the shaft 35 and the stub shaft 21. This universal joint type of connection will permit the shaft 35 to actuate the stub shaft 21 regardless of whether these two shafts are arranged in truly axial alignment or whether the said shafts are angularly arranged with respect to each other due to the angular arrangement of the instrument board panel 8 and the dash-board 1. By merely manipulating the control knob 31, therefore, the operator may easily 'and quickly throw out one set of fuses and connect up the other set of fuses with respect to the circuit wires for the various circuits. As has been stated above, each one of the stationary contacts I9 is provided with a depression or socket 29 in its exposed surface. The operator, therefore, will be able to determine just when the brushes 32 are arranged in proper engagement with their respective sets of stationary contacts l9 and 24 by the seating of these brushes 32 in the depressions or sockets 20.

Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, illustrate a modified form of fuse switch which differs from the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, primarily by the substitution of a disc for the multiple armed body 29 of the previously described structure and with a different form of contact bridging blades carried by this movable disc. The principal advantage resulting from the use of this movable disc or rotor is that the number of contact blades employed may be increased or decreased as desired. This, of course, is not possible where the rotatable member is made up in the form of a plurality of arms. The fuse panel and the elements mounted thereon are substantially the same in this modified form as has been illustrated and described in connection with Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive. The elements of the fuse panel in Figs. '1 to 9, inclusive, therefore, will be identified by the same reference characters with a prime mark added thereto. This form of designation will be of assistance in comparing the two modifications of the invention.

Referring first to Figs. 7 and 9, there is disclosed a fuse panel 9', which is formed of suitable insulating material and is provided with diametrically arranged, radially projecting ears II) which are apertured at H to receive suitable fastening devices by means of which the said fuse panel may be secured to an instrument board, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4.

The rear face of this fuse panel has mounted thereon the radially arranged pairs of fuse clips, or other fuse supporting elements. The inner fuse clips II are arranged in a circular series around the axis of the fuse panel while the outer circular series of fuse clips l5 are arranged so that each fuse clip of each series is in radial alignment with a fuse clip of the other series. A fuse cartridge l6, see Fig. 9, is to be received within each radially aligned pair of fuse clips. Fig. 9 discloses the fact that each one of the inner fuse clips H is secured in place by means of a rivet II which performs no additional function. Each one of the outer clips II is secured to the fuse panel 9' by means of a rivet ll, see Figs. 7 and 9. Each one of these rivets I8 is provided with a contact head I! which is exposed at the front face of the fuse panel. All of these contact heads 19' collectively function as a circular series of fixed contact points or'terminals.

Fig. '7 discloses a contact or conductor wire 2| for each two pairs of fuse clips. In other words, Fig. 7 discloses eight pairs of fuse clips with four circuit wires 2|. Each one of these circuit wires is electrically connected to two adjacent inside clips I4 by means of a drop of solder, or the like, 22'. It will be seen, therefore, that the several pairs of radially aligned fuse clips are connected in parallel to the circuit wires 2 I with two pairs of fuse clips provided for each of the groups.

Figs. '7 and 9 disclose an additional circular series of rivets 23, each of which is provided with a head 24' exposed to the front face of the fuse panel 9'. These heads 24' form a circular series of stationary contacts which are radially aligned with respect to the series of contact heads l9. Fig. '7 discloses four connecting straps 25' which electrically connect the rivets 23' into four groups with two rivets to each group. A second circuit wire 26' is connected to each one of the straps 25'.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that there are provided four groups of fuse cartridges, or the like, It, with two cartridges for each group; with the inner fuse clips ll of each group connected in parallel to a circuit wire 2|; with the outer clips l of each group connected to two stationary contact points 19', and with a pair of additional stationary contact points 21' interconnected and attached to a second circuit wire 26. There are provided, therefore, four independent circuits with two fuse elements available for use in each circuit.

In Figs. 8 and 9, there is disclosed a rotatable disc or rotor 29' which is formed of insulating material and which is of disc-like formation. For the purpose of simplifying the disclosure, this disc or rotor 29' is illustrated as being rotatably connected to the fuse panel 9' by means of a pivot pin or bolt 21. It is to be understood, however, that the same type of actuating mechanism disclosed in detail in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6 may be employed for actuating the disc or rotor 29 if desired.

Figs. 8 and 9 disclose the rear face of the disc or rotor'29' as having secured thereto four contact brushes or blades 45. Each one of these brushes or blades has a pair of outwardly offset arms 46 which are provided with rounded raised portions 41. It will be appreciated that the arms 46 with their raised portions I! register with the contact heads 24 and IQ of the fuse panel 9' so that rotation of the disc or rotor 29 through an arc of approximately 45 will cause the blades 45 to be moved from one pair of contacts l9 and 24 to a second pair of contacts. To limit rotary movement of the disc or rotor 29, an arcuate slot 48 is provided therein and has passing therethrough a pin or bolt 49 which is suitably secured to the fuse panel 5'.

It will be appreciated that the structure disclosed in Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, will operate in.

the same manner as the structure disclosed in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive. As has been stated above, the principal advantage of the structure disclosed in Figs. '7 to 9, inclusive, is that the same two elements 9' and 29' may be employed for sup porting a greater or lesser number of fuse clips, stationary contact points, and switch blades than those illustrated.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

. 1. A fuse switch of the type described comprising a mounting panel, a plurality of radially arranged pairs of fuse mounts secured to one face of said panel, a fusible element carried by each pair of mounts, means for electrically connecting the pairs of mounts into separate groups with the pairs of mounts forming each group connected in parallel, a pair of circuit wires for each group, and a movable switch device having means for simultaneously connecting one pair of mounts and its fuse element of each group with their circuit wires and for changing said connections to another pair of mounts and its fusible element of each group in case one of the firstmentioned elements burns out.

2. A fuse switch of the type described comprising a mounting panel, a plurality of radially arranged pairs of fuse mounts secured to one face of said panel, a fusible element carried by each pair of mounts, means for electrically connecting the pairs of mounts into separate groups with the pairs of mounts forming each group connected in parallel, a circuit wire permanently connected to the electrical connecting means of each group, a circuit wire additionally provided for each group, and a movable switch device having means for simultaneously connecting one pair of mounts and its fusible element of each group with their two circuit wires and for changing said connections to another pair of mounts and its fusible element of each group in case one of the firstmentioned elements burns out. I

3. A fuse switch of the type described compris ing a mounting panel, a plurality of radially arranged pairs of fuse mounts secured to one face of said panel, a fusible element carried by each pair of mounts, separate means electrically connected to only one mount of each pair of mounts for arranging said mounts in groups, a circuit wire permanently connected to each one of said separate means, a plurality of pairs of stationary contacts arranged on the remaining face of said panel with one pair of contacts being provided for each pair of fuse mounts. each one of the remaining mounts of each pair being connected to one of said contacts provided for the same, a, second circuit wire for each group of mounts and connected to all of the other stationary contacts of said group, and a movable switch device having a pair of bridged contact brushes for each group of fuse mounts arranged to engage successively the pairs of stationary contacts of the group whereby the fusible elements of each group may be successively connected to the circuit wires for its group and a change in fuse connections is simultaneously made for all groups.

4. A fuse switch of the type described comprising a mounting panel, a plurality of radially arranged pairs of fuse mounts secured to one face of said panel, a fusible element carried by each pair of mounts, separate means electrically connected to only one mount of each pair of mounts for arranging said-mounts in groups of two pairs of mounts to a group, a circuit wire permanently connected to each one of said separate means, a plurality of pairs of stationary contacts arranged on the remaining face of said panel with one pair of contacts being provided for each pair of fuse mounts, each one of the remaining mounts of each pair being connected to one of said contacts provided for the same, a second circuit wire for each group of mounts and connected to all of the other stationary contacts of saidgroups, and a movable switch device including a multiple armed body mounted for rotation relative to-said panel and having means carried by its arms including a pair of bridged contact brushes for each group of fuse mounts arranged to successively engage the pairs of stationary contacts of the groups whereby the fusible elements of each group may be successively connected to the circuit wires for its group and a change in fuse connections is simultaneously made for all groups.

5. A fuse switch of the type described comprising a mounting panel, a plurality of radially arranged pairs of fuse mounts secured to one face of said panel, a fusible element carried by each pair of mounts, separate means electrically connected to only one mount of each pair of mounts for arranging said mounts in groups, a circuit wire permanently connected to each one of said separate means, a plurality of pairs of stationary contacts arranged on the remaining face of said panel with one pair of contacts being provided for each pair of fuse mounts, each one of the re maining mounts of each pair being connected toone of said contacts provided for the same, a second circuit wire for each group of mounts and connected to all of the other stationary contacts of said group, and a movable rotor rotatably supported on the mounting panel and having a double armed brush device mounted thereon with one brush device being provided for each group of fuse mounts and being arranged to engage successively the pairs of stationary contacts of the group whereby the fusible elements of each group may be successively connected to the circuit wires for its group and a change of fuse connections is simultaneously made for all groups.

6. A fuse switch of the type describedcomprising a mounting panel, a plurality of radially arranged pairs of fuse mounts secured to one face of said panel, a fusible element carried by each pair of mounts, means for electrically connecting the pairs of mounts into separate groups with the pairs of mounts forming each group connected in parallel, a pair of circuit wires for each group, and a movable switch device including a disc-like rotor mounted for rotation relative to said mounting panel and having means secured to one face thereof for simultaneously connecting one pair of mounts and its fusible element of each group with their circuit'wires and for changing said connections to another pair of mounts 'and' its fusible element of each group in case one of the first mentioned elements burns out.

7. A fuse switch of the type described comprising a mounting panel, a plurality of radially arranged pairs of fuse mounts secured to one face of said panel, a fusible element carried by each pair of mounts, means for electrically connecting the pairs of mounts into separate groups with the pairs of mounts forming each group connected in parallel, a circuit wire permanently connected to the electrical connecting means of each group, a second circuit wire for each group, and a movable switch device including a disc-like rotor mounted for rotation relative to the mounting panel and having means carried by one face for simultaneously connecting one pair of mounts and its fusible element of each group with their circuit wires and for changing said connections to another-pair of mounts and its fusible element of each group in case one of the aforementioned elements burns out.

8. A'fuse switch of the type described comprising a mounting panel, a plurality of radially arranged pairs of fuse mounts secured to one face of said panel, a fusible element carried byv each pair of mounts, separate means electrically connected to only one mount of each pair of mounts for arranging said mounts in groups of two pairs of mounts to a group, connected to each one of said separate means, a plurality of pairs of stationary contacts arranged on the remaining face of said panel with one pair of contacts being provided for each pair of fuse mounts, each one of the remaining mounts of each pair being connected to one of said contacts provided for the same, a second circuit wire for each group of mounts and connected to the second stationary contacts of said groups, and a movable switch device including a disc-like rotor mounted for rotation relative to the mounting panel and having a plurality of double armed contact brushes carried by one face of the rotor and with one brush being provided for each group of fuse mounts, said brushes being arranged to successively'engage the pairs of stationary contacts of the group whereby the fusible elements of each group may be successively connected to the circuit wires for its group and a change in fuse connections is simultaneously made for all groups, and means for limiting rotary movement of the rotor relative to the mounting panel.

' OREN C. CLOUGH.

a circuit wire permanently 

